How to send messages, photos, and packages
Communication issues around Cleveland County Detention usually come down to two things: getting help fast and avoiding scams. If you receive a call or message claiming a loved one is in custody and asking for money, report it through ic3.gov and contact the sheriff's office to file a local report. For emergencies and non-emergencies, the county provides separate contact numbers and lists an E-9-1-1 director for communications questions. The Cleveland County E-9-1-1 Communications Center operates 24/7 with full-time and part-time telecommunicators plus administrative staff. For everyday inmate communication—phone calls, video visits, digital messaging—most facilities use third-party vendors. You'll set up an account to pay, schedule visits, and send messages.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Report suspected scams at ic3.gov, as Cleveland County recommends. You can also contact the sheriff’s office using the phone number the county provides to file a local report.
Use the county’s emergency number for immediate threats to life or safety, and the county’s non‑emergency contact number for other questions. The county also lists an E‑9‑1‑1 director contact for communications‑related inquiries.
Phone calls, video visits, and tablet or digital messaging are handled through a third-party vendor. You'll create an account in the vendor's app or portal to fund your balance, schedule video visits, and send messages. Approvals may be required before services work.
Looking to confirm where someone is booked and put money on their account? Cleveland County's site has two separate starting points: an online inmate inquiry (the jail roster) and the Detention page's
Visiting at Cleveland County Detention requires a bit of planning — visitation happens at two different Shelby locations, and the day you can visit depends on the inmate's last name. Here are the addresses, published hours, and how the Wednesday/Friday schedule works.
Getting answers from the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office is faster when you know which division to contact. The office handles law enforcement, detention, and communications—with different teams managing different types of calls and questions.
